9/11 victims, first responders to be remembered at Southeast Michigan events

Memorial events, presentations and theater productions will take place in Southeast Michigan this fall to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and honor the first responders and volunteers who assisted that day.

There are 42 people who were identified as having Michigan connections among the victims, according to the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund. They include University of Michigan and Michigan State University graduates, along with Detroit natives Margaret Elaine Mattic, Marsha D. Ratchford, and Sandra Lee Wright.

The deaths resulted from two plane crashes at the World Trade Center in New York, a plane crash into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and a plane crash into a field in Pennsylvania.

In the years to come, Michigan communities were among those selected for recovered pieces from the World Trade Center in New York to be transformed into permanent memorials across the country.

In addition, the ensemble musical theater show "Come From Away," which tells the story of stranded airline passengers who were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, is seeing a surge in interest among school and community theaters this year. The original production was staged in 2015 and the Broadway production premiered in 2017.

Here are some events from across the state.

Michigan flags at half-staff

In keeping with tradition, Michigan's flags are lowered to half-staff on September 11, also known as Patriot Day.

Border crossing ceremonies

All international border crossings in Michigan will close for about a half hour on Friday morning for a 9/11 commemoration and moment of silence.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Michigan Department of Transportation says traffic will be cleared from the bridge crossings by 8:46 a.m. There will be playing of taps, a flag raising and a moment of silence at each of the following locations:

• International Bridge, Sault Ste. Marie.
• Blue Water Bridge, Port Huron.
• Ambassador Bridge, Detroit.
• Gordie Howe International Bridge, Detroit.
• Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Detroit.

Detroit DHS ceremony

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Detroit will host a ceremony at 8:46 a.m. Friday at the Renaissance Center Plaza Promenade on Atwater Street to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and recognize the continued service of first responders, law enforcement and public servants.

The speakers are U.S. Rep. John James from Michigan's 10th District and U.S. attorney James Gorgon from the Eastern District of Michigan.

"Come From Away," Croswell Opera House, Adrian

The Croswell Opera House in Adrian will present its production of "Come From Away" on selected dates from Sept. 11-20.

"Come From Away," University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan Department of Musical Theater will present its production of "Come From Away" on selected dates from Oct. 8-18 at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre at the Ann Arbor campus.

9/11 Service of Remembrance, Grosse Pointe Farms

The 9/11 Service of Remembrance will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday at The War Memorial on Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms. The ceremony includes a color guard by the Navy Reserve Center Detroit Honor Guard and remarks from Grosse Pointe Farms Mayor John Gillooly and the Rev. Andrew Van Culin of Christ Church Grosse Pointe.

Day of Remembrance, Holly

The Holly Fire Department will host a ceremony starting at 8 a.m. Friday at the fire station, 414 N. Saginaw Street, Holly. The program includes a reading of the names of the FDNY firefighters and first responders who died on Sept. 11, 2001. The Holly High School Band also will perform.

A Night of Thunder and Fire 911 Tribute, Ida

Motorcyclists will gather for the Night of Thunder and Fire 911 event from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at American Legion Post 514, Ida, Michigan. Bikers are invited to participate in a Moment of Thunder at 9:11 p.m.

9/11 Remembrance Memorial, Lansing

The 9/11 Remembrance Memorial, at the corner of Michigan and Grand Avenues in Lansing's Wentworth Park, will be open to visitors. The memorial features an H-beam salvaged from the World Trade Center site.

The 2026 ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. Friday, with Lansing Fire Department Chief Carrie Edwards-Clemons and Lansing Police Department Chief Robert Backus as the speakers.

9/11 Ceremony, Mt. Clemens

Macomb County Fallen Heroes will honor the victims of Sept. 11 along with Deputy Theodore Radlinski, who died in the line of duty in February 1940, and Emily Barker, who died working at wildfires along the Utah-Colorado border, during their annual 9/11 ceremony.

The program begins at 7 p.m. on Friday in front of the Mt. Clemens circuit court building on North Main Street in Mt. Clemens.

Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Macomb County

Patrick Anderson, a World Trade Center survivor and founder of the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund, will be the speaker during a ceremony this week at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Pontiac

The 9/11 Memorial, dedicated in 2015, at the corner of North Telegraph Road and County Center Drive East, is near the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial on the Oakland County Sheriff's Office headquarters in Pontiac. The 9/11 Memorial has three structures, each remembering where the planes fell on Sept. 11, 2001.

A ceremony remembering the victims of Sept. 11, along with fallen first responders, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday. It is open to the public.

9/11 Memorial Service, Canton

Canton Township officials will host a 9/11 memorial ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial in Heritage Park, behind the Canton Administration Building on South Canton Center Road.

The Canton Fire Department honor guard will be on ceremony. Speakers will include U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, state Rep. Ranjeev Puri and Senator Dayna Polehanki.

25th Year of Remembrance, Brighton

The Brighton Area Fire Authority will host a 25th Year of Remembrance ceremony to honor the first responders who died on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Friday at Station 31 on Grand River Road, Brighton.

Day of Remembrance, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti

A steel beam from the World Trade Center is the centerpiece of a memorial on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.

The campus will host a ceremony at 8:35 a.m. Friday at Pease Park on campus, with remarks from EMU President Brendan Kelly, flowers placed on the beam, and a ROTC ceremony. Special guests will include U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell and Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown.

9/11 Remembrance and First Responders Blessing, Harrison Township

A 9/11 Remembrance and First Responders Blessing will begin about 5:30 p.m. Friday at St. Hubert Catholic Church on Prentiss Street in Harrison Township. This short prayer service will remember those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, and recognize the first responders who work in the community today. It also serves as the kickoff for the church's fall festival.

Participants will include students, Girl Scouts, and family members of the St. Hubert Catholic Church community.

Stellantis Veterans Group Ruck March

The Stellantis Veterans Group has organized a ruck march starting at 11 a.m. Friday along the CTC test track. 

More than 400 Stellantis employees, veterans and company leaders will recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans, military service members and first responders. The backpacks they will carry will hold essential supplies that were donated for veterans in the community.

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Dearborn

The city of Dearborn will host a remembrance ceremony to mark 25 years after Sept. 11, 2001, at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Veterans Park and War Memorial at the Henry Ford Centennial Library on Michigan Avenue.

The program includes participation by the police and fire honor guard, bagpipe performance and a moment of silence.

Unity Seats Football Gathering, Erie

A Unity Seats gathering will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at Erie Mason High School in Erie, as St. Mary Catholic Central and New Boston Huron high school football teams play a regular-season game. This event is hosted by Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough and U.S. United as one of 100 such events at high school football games across the country.

Patriot Day observance, Warren

The city of Warren will host a Patriot Day observance at 8:30 a.m. Friday at Warren City Hall Atrium at One City Square.

The program will include the honor guard from the Warren Police and Fire Departments and a bagpipe tribute.

Ann Arbor 9/11 remembrance

The City of Ann Arbor Police and Fire Department will host a memorial service at 9 a.m. Friday at Fire Station 1 on North Fifth Avenue.

Speakers will include city officials along with U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell.

Port Huron Police Department 9/11 ceremony

The Port Huron Police Department has announced a two-hour time of quiet reflection from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at International Flags Plaza.

Flag ceremony, Lapeer

The Lapeer Fire and Rescue Department will participate in a flag dedication ceremony organized by city officials at 8:46 a.m. Friday.

9/11 ceremony, Harper Woods

The AMVETS Post 57 will host a 9/11 ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday at the post hall, 19730 Harper Avenue, where a steel beam from the World Trade Center stands as a memorial to the victims of that day, first responders, and military personnel.

9/11 Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute, various locations

The 9/11 Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute is a community-based program that brings together scouting troops, religious organizations, and other community agencies to thank and honor military members and first responders.

The Southeast Michigan events that are part of this series include:

• 4 p.m. at Riley Park on Grand River Avenue in Farmington.
• 5 p.m. at Mahican District-Young Patriots Park on Civic Center Drive in Riverview.
• 6 p.m. at the Dundee Civil War Memorial on Riley Street, Dundee.
• 7 p.m. at Brighton Area Fire Authority on Grand River Avenue in Brighton.
• 9 p.m. at Madison Heights Fire Department on Brush Street, Madison Heights.